Jets to release guard Laken Tomlinson

The Jets are releasing guard Laken Tomlinson, per a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The #Jets are releasing guard Laken Tomlinson, per source.

Move saves around $8.1M on the cap.

Incredibly durable player has started 114 straight games.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 27, 2024

By releasing Tomlinson, the Jets will save $8.1 million in cap space. Tomlinson was entering the final year of a 3-year, $40 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2022. Tomlinson struggled to stay consistent in two seasons with the team and ultimately proved not worth counting almost $19 million against the cap with a $12.6 million base salary for 2024.

The release means the Jets now arguably need to fill three spots along the offensive line, certainly at least two. The only sure fire starters for next season are Joe Tippmann and Alijah Vera-Tucker. The Jets need at least one and maybe two tackles along with a guard.

The name of the game is protecting Aaron Rodgers and the Jets simply had to remake their offensive line. A pay cut may have been an option for Tomlinson but the Jets decided to simply cut their losses. Tomlinson didn’t live two the big contract.